Aeroplane-cloth speaker



Nov. 18, 1930. GRIER AEROPLANE CLOTH SPEAKER Filed June 26 1928 4 VII/11111111111111.0111!!! 0 I w 5 0 MP :1 0 R Q j fi n l m. 5 1 mwazw f Patented Nov. 18, 1930 PATENT OFFICE ULYSSES GRIER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AEROPLANE-CLOTH SPEAKER Application filed June 26,

This invention relates to aeroplane cloth radio speakers, and has among its'objects the provision of a device of the character described which is of improved arrangement 65 and construction to include an ornamental cabinet superposed over the speaker.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the nature set forth, comprising an improved aeroplane cloth speaker 10 including a diaphragm tensioned at the edges thereof and in a transverse direction at its center, for connection with a speaker unit at the center, at which region the diaphragm is re-enforced, all as hereinafter described.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists in the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated in the annexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

Generally described, the invention provides a loud speaker of the type well known in radio apparatus. Associated therewith is an ornamental cabinet for receiving articles of various kinds. A support is provided for the cabinet, on which support is mounted a diaphragm of aeroplane cloth secured at its edges to the support. Interiorly of the support, and to the rear of this main diaphragm is an auxiliary smaller diaphragm of aeroplane cloth. The diaphragms are tensioned transversely thereof and in opposite directions. They have central openings to perm mit engagement therewith of a loud speaker L unit. At the openings referred to, particularly in conjunction with the main diaphragm, is a re-enforcement of aeroplane cloth, while metallic washers engage the diaphragms at said openings and externally of the re-enforcement. These washers are per forated to permit an adhesive to be passed therethrough to cementtogether the fabric portions to strengthen the diaphragms, and particularly the main diaphragm to prevent 1928. Serial No. 288,409.

a break in the diaphragm from initiating at the opening thereof. v

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined in one and the same structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying 1 ss than the whole. I 7

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, that the same may be incorporated in several different constructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplification of the invention.

In the drawingsi Figure 1 is a front elevation showing a device embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 33 of Fig, 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view showing features of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a View of a detail of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, de notes a device embodying the invention. The same is seen to include actuating means, such as a loud speaker 11 of the type that is commonly used in radio apparatus. superposed upon the loud speaker is a cabinet 12. The latter may be of any suitable design, and while the upper portion 13 thereof is shown as being of triangular form, nevertheless the same may also be semi-cylindrical, hemispherical, or of any other desired conformation according to the desires or tastes of the user.

The cabinet 12 comprises a door 14 hingedly mounted at 15 and retained in closed position by any suitable locking device 16. The said door is of a shape in conformity with that of the body of the cabinet and includes preferably a glass pane 17 through which various ornamental and decorative articles 18 positioned on abase 19 and a shelf 20 may be visible. It will be appreciated that the articles 18 may be of various designs and includes chinaware, silverware, and any of the various objects that are usually placed in across the front of the base cured to the edges of the base in any suitablev 1 said diaphragm. large vibrating surface, insuring ample volornamental closets to be visible through transparent walls or windows therein. 1

Supporting the cabinet 12 is a base 21, the same including side members 22 coact-ing with the shelf 19 at their upper ends and with a cross bar 23 at their lower end. On

the base 21. is mounted the main speaker diaphragn 24, this being stretched taut and being manner as, for example, bytacks or screws 25 passing through the diaphragm and into the adjacent portions of the base; "As may be noted in the drawing, the diaphragm 23L is inwardly deflected centrally under tension with mechanism hereinafterv described and disposed within the base 21 .to the reariof the The latter provides a very time and since it the base of the device, it is in practice suitably ornamented by pictures or the like that may be drawn or painted theeron. By placing slats along the edges of the base 21 to conceal the edges ofthe diaphragm 24c and the heads of the tacks.25,'a

suitable finished external appearance is assured.

To the rear of the diaphragm 2e are mounted a pair of cross bars 27 vertically space'd from one another and in the same vertical plane preferably n parallelism with that oi the d1aphragm24. Thesebars 27 fOrm -a ing secured to the frame in any suitable manner and preferably by means of tacks or screws 29 passing through the edge portions of the diaphragm 28 and into the bars 27. The auxiliary diaphragm 28 is tensioned'in an opposite direction relative to the main diaphragm 24; with the result that the two diaphragms are in relatively close proximity to each other at the central portions of each.

By this arrangement a loud speaker unit 3 of any conventional well known type in the radio art ma have connection b means of a J pin 31 with the main diaphragm 2e and in such manner as to insure sufficient tautness in the latter and particulrly at the central region thereof.v

The loud speaker 30 may be mounted 'in any feasible manner as, for. example, by means of brackets 32 which may be engaget with screws, or the like, to the parallel bars 33' that are fixed to, the side members 22 of the base. The lead st of the loud speaker may be extended through either one of the two openings 35 provided in the side members 22' of the base. Accordingly the lead 3% may be conveniently connected with the receiving set regardless of the relation of the device 10 thereto.-

and 28 consist is preferably a fabric as, for

frames or supports with a fair may be used to obtain the firm heads of the nails, this tions thereof.

,soon as. the liquid 7 that the diaphragms are rendered as resonant as those on a drum. In constructing a device accordin to. this invention it is essential that the liquid referred to be applied according to a predeternnned plan and with sunlcient rapidity tocause a uniform action thereof in all parts of the cloth so as to prevent 1n the finished-diaphragm a warped effect an d to prevent the possible uneven strains that might otherwise be created from causing the diaphragm to break. extends substantially across 5 -t-he entire front of In constructing a device made according to q 1--. tlllS 111v ention after the diaphl agms i1 and 26 have been nailed to their CGIiGSPOI'lCllllQ' degree or tantness, the sa1d dlaphragms are centrally drawn together and a clamping device 36 I passed through openings 37 and 38 in the diarpi phragms to securethe pin 31 therewith. lne

. clamping device 36 is seen to-comprise a plurality of washers or plates 39 and d0 coacting respectively with the diaphragms 24 and 28 and serving to strongly clamp the central portions thereof together. Thereafter a thumb screw 41 of the clamping device or any rigid frame across which is stretched taut a small auxiliary diaphragm 28, the sameibeother suitable means that may be provided contact between-the pin 31 and the clamping devise.

litter the afore aid preliminary steps in the manufacture or the instrument have been L iquid used the edge portions of the main diaphragm and ver the being done before the slats 26 have been put in place. Accordingly the diaphragm is strengthened and st"i'ened to the point where the heads ils will not pull throu h the diaphra V liquid is thereafter applied to tne other The liquid then rap' l y and by means of a. brush applied over 2 theremaining; parts of'the 2 rain diaphragn causing the same to bccome extremely taut porplace within a few minutes. The same process s repeated for the diaphragm 28. Accordingly a certam h a high degree of 'ension w liquid may t central pol tion of the main diaphragm, since the the central portion is provided with an'opening, and, further1nore,'the tension is really has dried which takes as to cause highest per unit area at the center of the diaphragm. Therefore when breakage occurs, it usuall 1 begins at the opening 37. 1 therefore prefer to employ a fabric reenforcement 43 which may likewise consist of aeroplane cloth and is cut in the form of a disk and centrally perforated at 4A to receive the clamping device 36. Since the said reenforcement is to the rear of the sounding diaphragn rt will not be seen and therefore will not affect the external appearance of the machine. The re-enforcement as may extend beyond the edges of the Washer 259 and a backing plate to may be provided for the re-enforcement to hold the same in snug contact with the sounding diaphragm 24-. The Washer perforated by means of a pluralitv of holes 46 and likewise the plate a5 is perforated in proximity to the periphery thereof by holes $7. The liquid may therefore be applied through the perforations l6 and 47 to reach the central portion of the sounding diaphragm that is otherwise inaccessibly retained between the Washers 59 Therefore the said central portion and ll). is suitably strengthened and at the same time the re enforcement 43 will be caused to strongly adhere thereto so that the possibility of breakage of the sounding diaphragm is greatly diminished. Likewise the Washer 40 may be perforated in the same manner as that shown for the Washer 39 and the liquid applied through the perforations to the central portion of ti e auxiliary diaphragm 28.

After the device has been thus completed, it may be painted properly and the painting may include the formation of any designs that may be deemed desirable.

It is thus seen that I have provided a device that fulfills the several objects of the invention and is Well adapted to meet the conditions of pract'cal use.

I claim:

l. A device of the character described, including a cabinet, supporting means for the cabinet including a pair of side members, a main diaphragm of aeroplane cloth mounted at its edges on said side members and at its upper a d lower ends on said cabinet, an auxiliary diaphragm to the rear of the main diaphragm, said main and auxiliary diaphragms being centrally perforated. and connected to gether, and tensioned in opposite directions at the center, and being both stretched taut, along the elements thereof, and means to transmit sound vibrations to the main diaphragm passing through the perforations in the diaphragms and engaging the same, there being a small fabric re-enforcement cemented to the main diaphragm about its perforation, said means including a pair of Washers disposed at opposite sices of the diaphragms to clamp the same together and afford strong engagement therewitl said. washers being perforated to permit the applicationof liquid cement therethrough to strengthen the diaphragms and to cement said re-enforcement to the main diaphragm as aforesaid.

2. A. device of the character described, including a diaphragm of aeroplane cloth, means to transmit sound vibrations to said diaphragm, and means to engage said diaphragm along the edges thereof to stretch same taut, said diaphragm being centrally perforated to permit the connecting means to engage the same, a piece of re-enforcement fabric for the diaphragm about said perforation the connecting means including washers on opposite sides of said diaphragm, one of said washers being perforated to permit liquid cement to be passed through the Washer perforations to cement the re-enforcement to the diaphragm.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ULYSSES GRIER. 

